January's Athletes of the Month

This month we are doing something a little different. We want to recognize 3 strong mamas who not only are still crushing workouts but they all 3 just gave birth to children! These 3 never skipped a beat during pregnancy until now. Please help us congratulate Lara, Becky and Laura!

Becky Taua’i

I’m 35, have been married to my stud of a husband for 5 1/2 years and have 3 beautiful kiddos.

2. What is your athletic background? Hobbies?

I have played sports for as long as I can remember. I played field hockey, basketball and softball in high school, and then Division I softball in college. I was a personal trainer for 7 years. Can CrossFit be considered a hobby? Outside of family and work, this is what we do!

3. If you could program a WOD for CFM, what would it be? Definitely a chipper!

Laura Vedenoff

Hi guys! I'm 33 years old, married, and am now a stay-at-home mom to my 3 kiddos. I have two daughters, ages 5 and 3, and a son who is 5 months!

2. What is your athletic background? Hobbies?

I was never much of an athlete growing up. Dance, cheer, and swim were the only things I was into. Crossfit is now my hobby. With three little ones, it's the one thing I make sure to squeeze in daily to keep my mind and body happy.

3. If you could program a WOD for CFM, what would it be?

We just did my 3 weeks programming, so you all know the kind of wods I like! ;)

Any long EMOM with cardio and heavy weights is perfect in my book!

4. What are your favorite meals or "Cheat" foods?

Pizza, burgers, fries, ALL sweets, wine...I could keep going! It takes some serious willpower to keep these things in moderation :)

I really dislike anything overhead. HSPU, shoulder to OH. I have poor shoulder mobility, and my upper body is weaker so those movements are super challenging for me.

7. What is your most recent PR? What is your next goal?

Joanne helped me get my first strict ring muscle up! I also got my kipping ones back after baby. I'm pretty limited with them right now, and need to put in some work. My goal is to keep working at them so they get easier, and so I can eventually string them together.

8. What keeps you coming back to CFM to achieve your goals?

The people and the atmosphere. I love that we see so many families come into our gym. We work out together, our kids play together, and it feels like a home away from home. I've made some life-long best friends just by working out at this CF box. I am motivated every single day by the amazing athletes in our gym, and challenged to push myself harder than I would on my own. Surrounding myself with like-minded people in our community, who have the same goals and are family-oriented, is what keeps me on-track and coming back.

9. Any advice to those who are just starting out?

Clean up your diet, and be consistent!

If your form is good, add a little more weight and push yourself a little harder than you're used to. Push yourself to pick the bar up sooner than you normally would, do a few more unbroken reps than you normally would, get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself every day. The wods aren't supposed to be easy, we are all struggling to get through them no matter what level we are at, so make your time in the gym worth it!

As a coach, I love seeing people fall in love with CF. I love watching everyone reach their goals, push themselves, and see positive change in themselves. It's easy to give up on CF because it's hard, but it's so rewarding to stick with it. Keep showing up, and be patient!

Lara Bova

I'm 33 years old, married to a non-CrossFitter… with two kids, Little Red (AKA Charlee) 3 years old and Dominic is 4 months old. I am a work from home Eat To Perform coach and sales rep in the nutritional industry.

2. What is your athletic background? Hobbies?

I've been a member at CFM for 7 years. My hobbies include eating carbs, spending time with the family, picking up heavy things and putting them down,

doing the occasional mud run, and helping people realize they can and should be eating lots of food to fuel their bodies!

3. If you could program a WOD for CFM, what would it be?

If I could program a wod it would have a little bit of everything, heavy lifts, body weight movements, running, and some gymnastic movements all rolled into one.